xxx

I just read a heated thread on the American post about American's switching hands when they hold the fork and knife. <BR>Is that appropriate in other countries? I'm curious because it's the first time I've heard of this.

Tony Hughes

Actually I think its (north) Americans that are out of step with the rest of the world. Only people that i know who cut normally then transfer utensils to opposite hands. Odd.

John

Most Europeans use the fork in one hand (usually the left for right-handers) and the knife in the other, holding the fork with the tines pointed toward the plate. The knife, in addition to cutting things (same as in N. America) is then used to push softer food onto the back of the fork, rather than using the fork as a scoop. It's very nearly universal and I use it as a quick method of classifying who's from which continent. Learn how to eat "European" (your grandfather probably did, it was more common) and no one will ever mistake you for a Murican. Just kidding.

Dr.David

Tony and John,<BR>You should post your views and educate some on the American thread. It's very funny.

tryingto

Fascinating. I just noticed this a week or so ago. I (a N. American) use the fork in the right hand, except when cutting. The Europeans I observed, kept their fork in their left hand, and often used their knife (in their right hand) to help coerce food onto their fork, so to speak.

Maj

I don't think the US thread is all that heated - just kind of funny. <BR><BR>You can always tell where silver was made by whether the smith's mark is on the tine-up side of the handle or the tine-down side. (Sorry, Tyne Daly!)<BR><BR>I tried to use the fork concave-down while I was in Europe, just to see if I could "pass." All it did was make me wonder why anyone would think the convex (bowed-out) side of a fork was the better side to try to catch food and carry it to one's mouth. The same logic applied to spoons would make soup a mere fantasy.<BR><BR>However, I concede that all that switching around is a little bureaucratic -- not very elegant, but at least no one sits there with the knife blade poised before one's face at the ready for future attack while one chews. I always want to say, "put that knife down, you're going to hurt yourself or someone else."<BR><BR>It's all custom. Chopsticks are a mystery to me -- I use them, although I suspect I look like a child to most Asian diners. But whose idea was it to use lead-less pencils to stir things and get the food up to one's mouth?

Mike

Maj,<BR><BR>Well, agreed, except for the fact that many Europeans like myself will abandon good manners for an easy life. We will turn the fork over (tines up) in our left hand, and scoop the hard to catch food items onto the "bowl" of the fork with the knife. Squashing peas onto the tines I find the most tiresome affectation, and I simply don't do it.<BR><BR>I also mop up sauces/dressings with bread if appropriate - even in restaurants. Delicious.<BR><BR>I thought bureaucratic warranted special mention. And the knife really should be held down near the plate!

Louis Parent

Yes. Hold your knife with the right hand and the fork with the left. Do not switch after cutting the food. Use the knife to gather up gravy on the food in your fork.

Mlle. Hatch

M. Louis Parent -- I am right-handed. I do not eat with my left hand.

Mel P

Wow, so I've been using my utensils the European way all my life? I know I don't do it the usual N. American way but I thought I was just non-conformist! &lt;g&gt; Don't use the knife to slide food most of the time though and I use the convex side. Also I've always used my right-hand to hold the fork and I'm a righty...never felt as comfortable or secure in the left. Guess I can pretend I'm a left-hander though. &lt;g&gt;

brownie

It may depend whether you're from continental europe or great britain.<BR><BR>I don't notice that many people eating with the tines of their forks facing the plate around western europe... but apparently it is a sign of breeding in britain. <BR><BR>But of course, that depends on who you speak to.

pete

Many left handed people eat in the european style and don't even know it. Left handers rarely switch they just keep the fork in the left hand all the time. I eat like a european and no one ever comments. In a business meal I may put the

Louis Parent

To Mlle Hatch:<BR><BR>So am I. It takes a little practice, but you shoud get the twist very fast.

Grandma

I have a very dim memory of WWII spy thriller... where the good guy spy (American)behind the lines in Europe is found out when the forgets himself while eating and switches his fork to his right hand. Shivvvver....

Suzanne

I'm a rightie, and I always keep my fork in my right hand and knife in my left...never switch 'em. Maybe it's a NY thing...eh, Mel? I'll have to observe the way people around here eat...I've never noticed.

left

Use chop sticks. No confusion, no arguments.

canuck

Silliest thing I have ever heard of - switching your fork from one hand to the other.<BR><BR>As a Canadian my fork is in the left hand and stays there - knife in the right hand, resting close to the plate.

Mina

This post (as well as the one on the US board) is pretty amusing. I am actually a convert.<BR><BR>When I traveled solo to Australia, I had a chance to observe people eat (since I was eating alone, nothing else to do but to subtly watch others!). Everyone used the European/continental method. Since traveling is an adventure, and adventure means trying something new, I decided to try to eat this way for the rest of my three week trip.<BR><BR>After flinging many pieces of chicken, fish, peas, etc in fifteen different directions, I got the hang of it. (my table always looked like a 3 year old dined there) It's easier, and I can even eat faster (which is probably a bad thing). Although I mostly use the european method now, sometimes when I am feeling particulary global, I'll use both methods in one meal.<BR><BR>But being Korean, the easiest way to eat is chopsticks! My friends think it's funny when I say "I'm not good with a fork." They don't notice all the holes on the side of my face...

miss

The "American" way of eating must be fairly recent. There's a 1922 edition of Emily Post's book of etiquette at http://www.bartleby.com/95/<BR><BR>She definitely says that the knife and fork should be used together. What I've noticed is that some Americans don't even use a fork. I often go to a local Italian restaurant. When you order a pizza a knife and fork comes with it. I've noticed that Americans use a knife and fingers.

Harzer

Another question is, when you hold the knife do you have the butt end sticking in the palm of your hand or resting in the crook between thumb and forefinger like a pencil? I was taught as a child that the latter method is uncultured.<BR><BR>The Germans hold the FORK in the 'uncultured' way I have described, and with the times pointing up, so that it works very effectively as a shovel. But to spear food they keep the same grip but hold the fork very upright. The fork is always kept in the left hand by right handers. And you must NEVER cut potatoes, but mash them up with the fork. This rule dates back to when silverware was actually made of silver and was stained by potato juice.<BR><BR>In Germany it is good table manners to keep your spare hand firmly resting on the table when you are eating soup or dessert. The English say the spare hand<BR>should rest below the table in the lap.<BR>What about the Americans?<BR>Harzer